Malaysian Grand Prix organisers have rejected calls for their event to become a night race in a bid to appease European viewing times.
Bernie Ecclestone has been pushing for the race to start later than it already does, currently 4pm local time (8am GMT), to match that of the Singapore GP which is currently the only race run wholly at night.
However, Sepang International Circuit chief executive Datuk Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali is happy with the event as it is, and cites the costs involved erecting floodlights as just one reason it should stick with its current time slot.
“It is very costly, especially for the lighting,” Ahmed Razali is quoted as sying by the Bernama news agency. “You have to imagine the Sepang Circuit now with beautiful settings, but if we are doing the night race, then we will have light towers or concrete poles. I don’t think it will look nice.”
He also cited the chance of rain increases vastly during the evening and nighttime hours, of which is already a threat to the late starting race which was called off after just 31 laps due to a torrential downpour in 2009.
“The circuit is not designed for night racing and if it rains, it will be dangerous too. Frequent or heavy downpours at night could force the race to be stopped or cancelled.”
